lookout Clinton! im getting my second AR15 really soon. yep, another assault rifle to add to my collection. ive been on AR15.com under the same name, but dont always get enough replies / info when i ask questions about AR's

im looking for a 16" Dissipator upper, to put on a lower with a collapsable stock.


the upper can either be- Bushmaster ( 1st choice ) or a DPMS ( only Bushmaster and DPMS have a dissipator style upper assembly for order)
must have:
chrome lined barrel
1/9" twist or better
birdcage flash hider, doesnt need the bayonet lug though
carry handle does not need to be removable

lower- either Colt, Rock River, Bushmaster ( in that order ) with a 4 or 6 point telescoping stock


i have considered ordering a STRIPPED lower and getting a parts kit to build one, but i really worry that i dont have the patience/skill/tools to put all the little pins / springs in place. im afraid to screw that up... has anyone assembled a lower parts kit ??? any advice ??

im hoping to get the lower for $300 or less, and to get the upper for $500 or less but i will spend up to $950 if i NEED to.

there is a gun show in town at the MN state fair grounds April 16th / 17 so ill be able to look for parts / prices.

ANY advice or info would be appreciated, please help me out a bit here

Rob

 

Look for a complete Rock River lower, they run about 225-250. Trigger upgrade for 100 and it might be worth it. I've seen those uppers for 400 up with bolt. It's been my experience that you can buy an AR-15 rifle used (off the floor) for 750 to 800 and its already assembled. By the time you get the parts all rounded up, you will have at least that much in the gun and still have to put it together and hope it will work. I was at Tulsa last weekend at the Wanamaker show and saw ARs by the dozens. It seemed like every Tom, Dick or Harry was trying to sell or trade one. Lots of choices.

 

just to make it a bit easier to find an upper, i might go with a mid-length instead of a dissipator. i want a 16" barrel, but i HATE the carbine /shorty sight setup, the distance from the front to rear sight is too short for me. the dissipator gives you a full length front handguard with the rifle sight radius, which makes sighting on the target easier. but, if i have to i will settle for a mid-length. a mid length with a telescoping stock looks way better than a dissipator with a telescoping stock, although im going more for functionality than looks.

also, i realize it may cost just as much to build a parts gun, as to buy one already assembled, but by building it i get EXACTLY the parts / rifle im looking for.

 

I just got added another to my collection. A mint colt sp-1 with adjustable stock.

Good luck with your new project they can be lots of fun .

 

if you already have one ar15 why not get a good lower and then get a 6.8x43mm upper and mag. from barrett?

 

You already have an AR-15, right. Just buy a Dissapator upper and use the same lower as your other AR-15. That is why I love my AR-15. 1 Lower and as many Uppers as your heart desires. they are interchangeable.


IMO..
Mike

 

Hey builttough, you remember BChapman or bukshot from AR15.com? Haha both of them are me. Either way, I'd saaaay, full auto A1 lower and swap out your upper, and if BATFE comes a knockin swap em out and hide your lower!

Regardless, the carbine and shorty setup was designed to be functional, but functional in a different way. I as well hate the short radius, and you'd be better off with a dissipator IMO. A Bushy upper and Colt lower are your best choices, but also probably the most pricey.
You just going to use the irons or have an optical setup? For an optical, accurate targeter, I'd do a DPMS upper and Colt lower. Irons, I'd save the money and go with Bushy.

 

I'm not a gun guy, but do enjoy shooting from time to time. Have any of you guys seen/heard about Tromix or a guy named Tony Rumore? He used to build AR15's locally with bores up to .500 for $1250. His website is shut down and says thanks for the memories and I'm curious to know what happened.

 

The problem with AR15.com is it's such a big site threads get three-four pages back in a matter of a couple hours. I've met some cool people that hang out together because of that site.

I've built a couple Ameetec lowers using Bushmaster parts kits, and one DPMS lower I built with a DPMS parts kit. I was pleasantly surprised by the DPMS parts, I expected the Bushy parts to be better. If I do any more I'll use DPMS LPKs. The quality between the Ameetecs and the DPMS were pretty much same-same. I couldn't see an appreciable difference between them. I got all three for under $100/pc.

The only problem with building a lower is it's so easy, the fun is over before you get started. Ten minutes tops, and that's really stretching it. Uppers are a little more involved, but you can buy assembled uppers all day long. I might have saved only a couple bucks doing it myself, but now I know exactly how it all works. I've got a couple friends that want me to build them a rifle, and I'll be happy to oblige.

 

Don't the Colt Lowers use different size pins?

For the lower, I'd go with Bushmaster, first. 'Standard' pins / pin locations.
I've read that the Colt needs an 'offset' pin for Colt lower to 'other' uppers.

I've got a pre-ban Colt AR-HBAR and it is fabulous, EXCEPT for the trigger block that I can't figure out how to remove, so I can put in a Jewell trigger.
(New $609.00 + tx. = $714.00 out the door.)

Look at Fulton Armory for their "FAR" rifles. fultonarmory.com

Clint McKee builds some good rifles. AR, M-1A, M-1 Garand.

My 2¢.

 

You might wish to check the auction sites of www.auctionarms.com or www.gunbroker.com , they have some pretty good deals and if you know someone with an FFL, you can be in hog heaven in no time.

 

00blueoval- about those colt take down pins being different sizes-
they only built so many of those like that, my Colt Hbar 20" has the standard size pins so i could swap it out with other rifles easily.

Black1- i agree with you on AR15.com- you can put a post up, and even though youre getting replies, itll be on the 3rd page in 2 hours. kinda sucks, and i doubt everyone surfs the back pages. as for building the lower like you mentioned, ill have to see a LPK sitting in front of me before i decide to build it myself. my next door neighboor said it took him 7-8 minutes to do his, so he'd put one together for me if neccisary.

Fbodyfan- yeah i love the idea of the A1 lower... but wouldnt know where to get one-
you mentioned just getting a 16" upper to put on my colt lower- but my colt has the standard A2 full length stock, and i want my new AR to have a collapsable stock. plus, being the gun nut that i am... TWO complete AR's sounds better than ONE complete AR with an extra upper. nothing exceeds like excess! you can never have enough complete rifles! ill have to see a Dissipator with a collapsable stock in person before i decide to go with one, i might just go with a Mid-length instead.

thanks everyone- keep the info / tips coming !

 

Sounds like alot of you guys have some cool guns, alot cooler then my 22's

 

ok. sooooo im really starting to like the look of the Rock River MID-length, looks really proportionate with a telescoping stock. the dissipators and shortys with telescoping stocks dont always look that great. ah.. now i just need the $ ASAP to get my new baby

 

preppypyro:

An AR ain't nuttin' but a .22. Centerfire .22!!!
C'mon in. The water's fine! Accurate as 'all get out'! Inexpensive to shoot. Fun to reload.